According to recent reports from Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, former Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel is poised to become the new manager of the Belgian national squad. The 49-year-old is expected to finalize a deal with the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) within the next few days, securing his position as the Red Devils’ head coach until the conclusion of Euro 2028.
Since retiring from his playing career in 2013, Van Bommel has managed teams including PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg, and Antwerp. He has been a free agent since leaving Antwerp in June 2024, despite having led the club to its first championship victory in 66 years just one season prior.
Van Bommel will replace Rudi Garcia, who vacated the position this past Monday following Belgium’s quarter-final loss to Spain in the most recent international tournament. Media outlets cited internal conflicts between Garcia, his players, and technical director Vincent Mannaert as significant factors leading to the coaching change. Many fans expressed confusion regarding the timing of Garcia’s exit. Sources indicate the federation prioritized hiring a more contemporary, younger candidate than the 62-year-old Garcia.
